Footwear with last area sealing and method for its production

ABSTRACT

Footwear is described that has an insole with an insole bottom; an upper which is constructed with an outer material and which has an end region on the sole side; and a waterproof upper functional layer, which lines at least partially the outer material on its inside and also has an end region on the sole side. The upper has a lasting margin area, in which the end region of the upper is adhered to the insole bottom by means of a lasting adhesive. An outsole is adhered to the lasting area bottom by means of an outsole adhesive. The lasting adhesive is a waterproof reactive hot melt adhesive.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention concerns footwear with an upper lasted on thebottom of an insole, which is provided at least partially with awaterproof functional layer from a sheet-like material, which ispreferably water vapor-permeable, and with an outsole adhered to thebottom of the last area. The invention also concerns a method forproduction of such a shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are shoes whose shoe upper is waterproof and watervapor-permeable because of lining with a functional layer that providesboth functions. This type of shoe upper remains breathable, i.e.,water-vapor-permeable, despite being waterproof. Special efforts arerequired in order to ensure long-lasting waterproofness in the regionbetween the end of the upper on the sole side and the sole structureitself.

[0003] In shoes that are produced with the known lasting process, theshoe upper is adhered onto the bottom of the insole along an edge regionof the insole called the lasting margin, and an outsole is applied tothe bottom of this adhered unit. Weak points are present in thisconstruction. In particular, creases of the lasted upper material formedin the last margin area at the sites on which the shoe contour has asmall radius of curvature are weak, since the lasting adhesive eitherfrom the outset does not seal the entire transitional region between theshoe upper and the insole, especially in the region of the lastingfolds, or can become worn and thus water-permeable by bending stressesduring shoe use.

[0004] It is known from DE 40 00 156A that sealing adhesives can bearranged between the periphery of the insole and the functional layer ofthe upper. To prevent water that reaches the bottom of the insole viathe outer material of the upper and in the lasting margin from reachingthe shoe interior, the insole is provided with a waterproof insolelayer. There can be instances in which the additional step of adheringthe insole periphery to the functional layer and the use of thewaterproof insole are not desired.

[0005] A method for sealing a shoe upper provided with a waterproof anda water vapor-permeable functional layer is known from EP 0 286 853A, inwhich an inner edge region of the last area is kept unsealed duringlasting and an injection mold with a protruding sealing lip is appliedto the bottom of the last area after the lasting process. In this casethe sealing lip essentially follows the contour of the insole edge andis displaced somewhat toward the insole center relative to the outerperipheral contour of the outsole to be applied later. A sealingmaterial is injected into the space formed between the sealing lips,which encloses the edge region of the upper provided with the functionallayer left unsealed during lasting and thus seals it. This sealingprocess has proven itself, but requires an injection mold and aninjection machine of the mentioned type.

[0006] It was known from EP 0 595 941B that the last margin area can besealed in a shoe with an upper that has a waterproof layer and is lastedaround an insole by embedding the edge of the upper region to be lastedin a waterproof material before lasting takes place, in which thismaterial can be polyurethane (PU). This sealing method requires theadditional process step of embedding the edge of the upper in thelasting margin region.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Footwear produced according to invention is provided which can bemade permanently waterproof with the least possible machine expenditureand with the fewest possible process steps in the last margin region.

[0008] The footwear of the invention is footwear comprising:

[0009] a) an insole with an insole bottom;

[0010] b) an upper which is constructed with an outer material and hasan end region on the sole side;

[0011] c) a waterproof upper functional layer, which forms a part of theupper and at least partially lines the outer material of the upper onits inside, particularly in the end region of the upper;

[0012] d) in which the upper has an end region in the lasting marginarea which is adhered to the insole bottom by means of a lastingadhesive;

[0013] e) and an outsole which is adhered to the bottom of the lastedmargin area;

[0014] f) wherein the lasting adhesive is a reactive hot melt adhesivewhich is waterproof in the reacted state.

[0015] The desired waterproofness in the lasting margin region isachieved in the method according to the invention in that a reactivehot-melt adhesive is used as lasting adhesive, an adhesive that adheresthe upper end region to the bottom of the insole around the insoleperiphery, which leads to waterproofness in the cured or reacted state.

[0016] The use of a reactive-hot melt adhesive that cures to form awaterproof material as the lasting adhesive, prevents water that reachesthe last margin region via the water-conducting outer material of theupper from reaching the inside of the functional layer that faces awayfrom the outer material, and thus from reaching the shoe interior. Thishazard is particularly high when a liner material with high absorptioncapacity is situated on the inside of the functional layer. The reactivehot melt adhesive used according to the invention as lasting adhesiveseals the materials in the lasting region reliably and permanentlywaterproof, including the particularly critical last crease areas, evenafter bending stress during walking with the footwear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 schematically depicts a shoe structure of a first variantof the invention after application of the lasting adhesive;

[0018]FIG. 2 schematically depicts an enlargement of a section of theupper shoe structure;

[0019]FIG. 3 schematically depicts a shoe structure of the type depictedin FIG. 1 after lasting;

[0020]FIG. 4 schematically depicts a shoe structure of the type depictedin FIG. 3 after application of outsole adhesive;

[0021]FIG. 5 schematically depicts a shoe structure of the type depictedin FIG. 4 after adhering of an outsole;

[0022]FIG. 6 schematically depicts a portion of the shoe structuredepicted in FIG. 5 with indications explaining waterproofness;

[0023]FIG. 7 schematically depicts the shoe structure of a secondvariant of the invention;

[0024]FIG. 8 schematically depicts the shoe structure of a third variantof the invention after application of the lasting adhesive;

[0025]FIG. 9 schematically depicts the shoe structure depicted in FIG. 8after lasting;

[0026]FIG. 10 schematically depicts the shoe structure depicted in FIG.9 after application of the outsole adhesive;

[0027]FIG. 11 schematically depicts the shoe structure depicted in FIG.10 after adhering of an outsole; and

[0028]FIG. 12 schematically depicts an enlarged two-dimensional view ofthe reacted reactive hot melt adhesive by three-dimensional crosslinkingof the molecular chains.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In one variant of the invention, a reactive hot melt adhesive isused both as the lasting adhesive and as outsole adhesive. In this casethe reactive hot melt adhesive is initially applied to the lastingregion, and then the same or another reactive hot melt adhesive is laterapplied to the bottom of the lasted region after the lasting process, inorder to adhere the outsole to said bottom. The reactive hot meltadhesive serving as lasting adhesive and the reactive hot melt adhesiveserving as outsole adhesive can be applied so that they are joinedtogether to form an adhesive enclosure that envelopes or encloses inwaterproof fashion the end region on the sole side on both the outermaterial of the upper and the upper functional layer. This leads to anincreased sealing function, as will be further explained below.

[0030] During production of the footwear in which the reactive hot meltadhesive serves also as the outsole adhesive, the adhesive can beapplied early enough after application of the reactive hot melt adhesiveserving as the lasting adhesive, so that lasting adhesive is stillreactive and the outsole adhesive can be bonded to the lasting adhesiveby chemical bonding into a common, uniform enclosure.

[0031] The outsole adhesive, however, can also be applied after curingof the lasting adhesive or after curing of the lasting adhesive at leaston its free surface. In this instance, a mechanical bond is formedbetween the two, which exhibits mechanical strength as well aswaterproofness.

[0032] Footwear according to the invention comprises an insole with aninsole bottom; an upper, which is constructed with an outer material andhas an end region on the sole side; a waterproof upper functional layerwhich forms part of the upper and which lines at least partially theouter material of the upper on its inside. The upper has an end regionon the sole side which is the lasting margin that is adhered to theinsole bottom by means of a reactive hot melt lasting adhesive. Anoutsole is adhered by an outsole adhesive to the bottom of the upper inthe lasting margin that faces away from the insole bottom, by an outsoleadhesive.

[0033] By functional layer is meant a layer that is liquid waterproof,and preferable also water vapor permeable.

[0034] Neither an injection mold nor an additional machine to introducethe sealing material is required in the production method according tothe invention, nor is an additional sealing necessary between theperipheral edge of the insole and the functional layer, nor a processstep in which the free end of the upper in the lasting area must beenclosed by means of a sealing material before the lasting process takesplace. The method according to the invention therefore leads to lowproduction costs for waterproof shoes, which could not be achieved withknown methods.

[0035] Production of shoes according to the invention becomesparticularly simple and economical when reactive hot melt adhesives thatcan be heat-activated and can be brought to the curing reaction by meansof moisture, for example, water vapor, are used.

[0036] If one would like to use a reactive hot melt adhesive whoseinitial strength is too limited because of a physical setting time thatlasts too long, thermoplastic fractions can be added to the reactive hotmelt adhesive that have sufficiently short setting time and initiallytake over the adhesive function until the reactive hot melt adhesive hascured far enough that it exhibits adequate adhesive action.Thermoplastics are defined herein to mean nonreactive polymers. They canbe added to reactive hot melt adhesives. Thermoplastic polyesters andthermoplastic polyurethanes are suitable as thermoplastics that can beadded to the PU-reactive hot melt adhesive.

[0037] By reactive hot melt adhesive is meant an adhesive that reacts onheating to form a cured or crosslinked adhesive. For example,polyurethane reactive hot melt adhesives, aromatic hydrocarbon resins,aliphatic hydrocarbon resins and condensation resins, for example, inthe form of epoxy resins (EP) are suitable for use in this invention.Polyurethane reactive hot melt adhesives, hereafter called PU-reactivehot melt adhesives, are particularly preferred.

[0038] The crosslinking reaction of the PU-reactive hot melt adhesivethat causes curing is produced by moisture, for which atmosphericmoisture is sufficient. There are blocked PU reactive hot melt adhesiveswhose crosslinking reaction can only begin after activation of the PUreactive hot melt adhesive by means of heat energy so that such hot meltadhesives can be stored in the open, i.e., in an environment withatmospheric moisture. On the other hand, there are unblocked PU reactivehot melt adhesives in which a crosslinking reaction occurs at roomtemperature if they are situated in an environment with atmosphericmoisture. The latter hot melt adhesives must be stored protected fromatmospheric moisture.

[0039] Both types of PU reactive hot melt adhesives are ordinarilyavailable in the unreacted state in the form of rigid blocks. Beforeapplication to the areas being adhered the hot melt adhesive is heatedin order to melt it and thus make it capable of being spread or applied.In the case of use of unblocked hot melt adhesive such heating mustoccur with exclusion of atmospheric moisture. When blocked hot meltadhesives are used this is not necessary, but it must be ensured thatthe heating temperature remains below the unblocking activationtemperature.

[0040] In one variant of the invention a PU reactive hot melt adhesiveis used that is constructed with blocked or capped isocyanate. Toovercome isocyanate blocking and thus for activation of the reactive hotmelt adhesive constructed with the blocked isocyanate, thermalactivation must be carried out. Activation temperatures for such PUreactive hot melt adhesives lie in the range from about 70 to 170° C.

[0041] A PU reactive hot melt adhesive useful in the invention isavailable under the name Ipatherm S 14/242 from H. P. Fuller in Wells,Austria.

[0042] An upper functional layer that is not only water-impermeable, butalso water vapor-permeable is particularly preferred. This permitsproduction of waterproof shoes that remain breathable despitewaterproofness.

[0043] A functional layer (optionally including the seams provided onthe functional layer, is considered “waterproof” if it has a waterpenetration pressure of at least 0.13 bar. A functional layer materialwill preferably have a water penetration pressure of more than 1 bar.The water penetration pressure is measured according to a test method inwhich distilled water at 20±2° C. is applied to a 100 cm² sample of thefunctional layer with increasing pressure. The pressure increase of thewater is 60±1 cmH₂O per minute. The water penetration pressurecorresponds to the pressure at which water first appears on the otherside of the sample. Details of the procedure are given in ISO standard0811 from 1981.

[0044] A functional layer is considered “water vapor-permeable” if ithas a water vapor permeability number Ret of less than 150 m²Pa.W⁻¹.Water vapor permeability is tested according to the Hohenstein skinmodel. This test method is described in DIN EN 31092 (02(94)) or ISO11092 (19/33).

[0045] The waterproofness of a shoe or boot can be tested with thecentrifuge method according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,807. A centrifugearrangement described there has four pivotable mounting baskets to holdfootwear. Two or four shoes or boots can thus be tested simultaneously.In this centrifuge arrangement centrifugal forces are utilized, whichare generated by rapid centrifuging of the footwear, to findwater-permeable sites in the footwear. Before centrifuging water isfilled into the internal space of the footwear. An absorbent material,like blotting paper or a paper towel, is arranged on the outside of thefootwear. The centrifugal forces exert a pressure on the water filledinto the footwear, which causes the water to reach the absorbentmaterial if the footwear is water permeable.

[0046] In this type of waterproof test the water is initially filledinto the footwear. In footwear with an outer material not havingsufficient intrinsic rigidity, a rigid material is arranged in theinterior space of the upper for stabilization in order to preventcollapse of the upper during centrifuging. Blotting paper or a papertowel on which the footwear being tested is placed is situated in eachholding basket. The centrifuge is then rotated for a specified time. Thecentrifuge is then stopped and the blotting paper or paper towelexamined to determine if it is moist. If it is moist, the testedfootwear did not pass the waterproofness test. If it is dry, the testedfootwear passed the test and is classified as waterproof.

[0047] The pressure that the water exerts during centrifuging depends onthe active shoe surface which depends on shoe size (sole inside surface)A, on the weight m of the water filled into the footwear, on theaffected centrifuge radius r and on the centrifuge speed U.

[0048] The water pressure exerted on the effective shoe surface bycentrifuging is then:

P=(m.v ²)/(A.r)=(m.ω ² .r)/A

[0049] with ω=2πf and v=2rπf.

[0050] An effective centrifuge radius of 50 cm and a centrifuge speed of254 rpm are used in a waterproofness test suitable for the footwearaccording to the invention. In footwear of shoe size 42 with aneffective shoe surface of 232 cm² the footwear is filled with a liter ofwater.

[0051] This gives:

m=1 kg

v=2.0.5m.π.4.23/s=13.3 m/s

P=(1 kg.(13.3 m/s)²)/(0.5 m.0.0232 m²)=353.8 N/0.0232 m²=0.13956 bar

[0052] For other shoe sizes with correspondingly different effectiveshoe surface an equivalent test pressure can be achieved withcorrespondingly altered amount of water.

[0053] Appropriate materials for the waterproof, water vapor-permeablefunctional layer include polyurethane, polypropylene and polyester,including polyether-ester and their laminates, as described in thedocuments U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,725,418 and 4,493,870. However, expandedporous polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is particularly preferred, asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,953,566 and 4,187,390, and expandedpolytetrafluoroethylene provided with water-vapor-permeable impregnationagents and/or layers; see, for example the document U.S. Pat. No.4,194,041. A porous functional layer is understood to mean a functionallayer whose average pore size lies between 0.2 micrometers and 0.3micrometers.

[0054] The pore size can be measured with the Coulter Porometer (tradename) which is produced by Coulter Electronics, Inc., Hialeah, Fla.,USA.

[0055] The Coulter Porometer is a measurement device that offersautomatic measurement of the pore size distribution in porous media, inwhich the liquid displacement method is used (described in ASTM StandardE 1298-89).

[0056] The Coulter Porometer determines the pore size distribution ofthe sample by increasing air pressure directed on the sample and bymeasuring the resulting flow. This pore size distribution is a gauge ofthe degree of uniformity of the pores of the sample (i.e., a narrow poresize distribution means that there is a limited difference between thesmallest pore size and the largest pore size). It is determined bydividing the maximum pore size by the minimum pore size.

[0057] The Coulter Porometer also calculates the pore size for averageflow. By definition half of the flow occurs through the porous samplethrough pores whose pore size lies above or below this pore size foraverage flow.

[0058] If expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene is used as thefunctional layer of the upper, the reactive hot melt adhesive canpenetrate into the pores of the functional layer during the adheringprocess, which leads to mechanical anchoring of the reacted hot meltadhesive in the functional layer. The functional layer consisting ofePTFE can be provided with a thin water-vapor-permeable polyurethanelayer on the side with which it comes in contact with the reacted hotmelt adhesive during the cooling process. During use of PU reactive hotmelt adhesives in conjunction with such a functional layer, not onlydoes mechanical bonding occur, but so does chemical bonding between thePU reactive hot melt adhesive and the PU layer of the functional layer.This leads to particularly intimate adherence between the functionallayer and the reactive hot melt adhesive so that a particularlylong-lasting waterproofness is guaranteed.

[0059] A waterproof outsole and/or a waterproof insole can be used.However, if breathability is to be maintained in the sole region despitewaterproofness, an insole and an outsole that consists at least inpartial regions of water and water vapor-permeable material can be usedand the waterproofness ensured by providing the water-permeable regionsof the insole and/or outsole with a waterproof, water vapor-permeablesole functional layer.

[0060] In a preferred aspect, the insole can consist of awater-permeable material and the outsole can be constructed with leatherwithin a peripheral edge consisting of rubber or plastic, on whose sidefacing the insole a waterproof, water vapor-permeable sole functionallayer is arranged. This extends in a direction toward the sole peripheryat least far enough so that it is overlapped by the region of the lastmargin enclosed with the reactive hot melt adhesive.

[0061] A shoe according to the invention can be constructed with anouter material upper and an upper functional layer that lines the insideof the outer material. The functional layer is preferably part of alaminate that has the functional layer and at least one liner layerfacing the shoe interior. The laminate can also have more than twolayers, in which a textile backing can be situated on the side of thefunctional layer facing away from the liner layer. A last region isformed for both the outer material upper and for the functional layerupper. Adhesive lasting of the last region can then be produced in asingle adhesive lasting process or in two separate lasting processes,each with a reactive hot melt adhesive as lasting adhesive.

[0062] If two separate adhesive lasting processes are carried out forlasting of the outer material of the upper and for lasting of thefunctional layer of the upper, these two lasting processes and thesubsequent outsole adhering process can be conducted in a time frame sothat the crosslinking or curing process for the reactive hot meltadhesive applied for the first lasting process is still not far advancedenough that it still can be adequately bonded chemically to the reactivehot melt adhesive applied as outsole adhesive in order to be able toform together a waterproof enclosure for the two last regions.

[0063] A cavity can be formed within the last area edge between theinsole and outsole, which is ordinarily filled with a filler. Thisfiller can be any of the known ordinary filler materials in a shoeaccording to the invention. However, this cavity can also be filled withreactive hot melt adhesive.

[0064] The reactive hot melt adhesive used as lasting adhesive ispreferably introduced in paste-like, for example, bead-like form, at thean angle formed between the lower peripheral edge of the insole and theupper part being lasted, protruding above the edge of the insole beforelasting. The reactive hot melt adhesive serving as outsole adhesive ispreferably sprayed onto the bottom of the last margin area.

[0065] If thermoplastic fractions are admixed with the reactive hot meltadhesive and the resulting mixture exhibits sufficient and temporaryadhesive capability for the correct time because of the admixedthermoplastic hot melt adhesive, one can proceed so that the adhesiveserving as lasting adhesive is applied first. The lasted upper istemporarily adhered to the insole with its temporary adhesivecapability. The outsole adhesive is applied to the bottom of the lastedarea and the outsole then fastened to the bottom of the lasted areatemporarily under the temporary adhesive action of the thermoplasticadhesive. The crosslinking reaction leading to curing under theinfluence of atmospheric moisture or water vapor and, in the case inwhich a block reactive hot melt adhesive is used, its thermal activationthat proceeds the crosslinking reaction, can then be carried out in acommon step.

[0066] Adhesives that consist, before activation, of relatively shortmolecular chains with an average molecular weight in the range from 3000to 5000 g/mol, are nonadhesive and are optionally brought to a state ofreaction after thermal activation in which the relatively shortmolecular chains crosslink to long molecular chains and then cure in amoist atmosphere. They are capable of adhesion in the reaction or curingperiod. After crosslinking curing they cannot be reactivated. The curingreaction leads to three-dimensional crosslinking of the molecularchains, which causes waterproofness of the cured reactive hot meltadhesive.

[0067] A first practical example of the shoe according to the inventionis explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. These show such a shoe in avery schematized fashion in different production phases.

[0068] The shoe according to this first practical example has awaterproof insole 11, which is arranged on a last 13. The insole 11 issituated within an upper 15, which is constructed with a water-permeableouter material 17, for example, leather or textile material. The insideof outer material 17 is lined with a functional layer laminate 19, whichhas an upper functional layer 21 and is further explained in conjunctionwith FIG. 2. In this phase of production the upper 15 is already pulledover the last 13 and the insole 11, in which the end region of the upperon the sole side, which later forms the last margin, still protrudesabove the bottom of the insole 23. An angle in which the reactive hotmelt adhesive serving as lasting adhesive 25 is applied is formedbetween the peripheral edge region of the insole bottom 23 and the endregion of upper 15 on the sole side. However, this is not a necessityfor functioning of the gluing according to the invention. It is onlyimportant that the hot melt adhesive be applied so that after thelasting process it is present between the insole bottom 23 and thelasted part of the functional layer laminate 19 in the form of a stripof adhesive continuous in the peripheral direction of the insole. Thisadhesive strip can extend over the entire width of the lasted part ofthe functional layer laminate 19 or only over a part of the width ofthis lasted part of the functional layer laminate. The lasting adhesiveis preferably applied so that it comes to lie in the region of thelasted area connected to the peripheral edge of the insole after thelasting process. This region is ordinarily free of lasting creases,which only occur at a certain spacing of, say, 5 to 10 mm, from theperipheral edge of the insole, especially at the site where the shoecontour has a strong curvature.

[0069] If a lasting adhesive that is sufficiently capable of creep inthe still unreacted viscous state is used in order to be able topenetrate adequately between the lasting creases so that the lastingcreases are sealed by the lasting adhesive, one can also restrictoneself to providing the lasting adhesive only in that width region ofthe last margin area in which lasting creases can form.

[0070] The lasting adhesive 25 is preferably applied in the form ofpaste, for example, by means of a nozzle (not shown) that ejects anadhesive bead. The triangular shape in the lasting adhesive 25 is onlyto be interpreted schematically in FIG. 1. The adhesive bead can haveany other desired cross section.

[0071]FIG. 2 shows a section (rotated by 90°) from the upper structure15 after preparation for adhesive lasting. On the outside of the upper,which is situated on the bottom in FIG. 2, a section of the leather thatserves as outer material 17 can be seen. On its inside, on the top inFIG. 2, the functional layer laminate 19 is situated. The upperfunctional layer 21 is made of ePTFE. A textile backing 27 is situatedon the outside of the upper functional layer 21 facing the outermaterial 17 in the form of knitted or mesh material which serves formechanical support of the upper functional layer 21. The upperfunctional layer 21 is provided with a PU layer 29 on the inside facingaway from outer material 17. The upper functional layer 21 with a PUlayer 29 can be produced according to the instructions of U.S. Pat. No.5,026,591 (Henn), but is not restricted to this. An additional layer 31is situated on its inside. This can be a nonwoven textile layer, aplastic foam layer, a nonwoven layer or a leather layer. A textilesealing layer 33 is situated on the inside of the additional layer 31. Afunctional layer laminate 19 of the type depicted in FIG. 2 is known.

[0072] In the usual functional layer laminate the additional layer 31 isthick so that it cannot be penetrated by the adhesive or notsufficiently penetrated. In order to enable the lasting adhesive 25 topenetrate up to the upper functional layer 21 it is known that theadditional layer 31, if it consists of a nonwoven textile layer or afoam layer, and the textile sealing layer 33 are applied by a skivingprocess in that region in which gluing of the reactive hot melt adhesivelasting adhesive 25 to the upper functional layer or its PU layer 29 (ifpresent) is to occur. In the case of an additional layer 31 in the formof leather the upper functional layer 21 can be left free in the regionof the leather layer being adhered.

[0073] The skiving process can be carried out by means of a skivingmachine known in shoe manufacture, for example, by means of the machineFortuna S4 from the Fortuna Co., Germany.

[0074] Returning to FIG. 1, it is apparent that the upper functionallayer 21 and the backing 27 extend downward above the lasting adhesive25, whereas the nonwoven textile layer 31 and the textile closure layer33 stop roughly at the bottom of the insole 23 as a result of theskiving conducted as shown in FIG. 2. The upper functional layer 21 withits PU layer 29 is therefore exposed in the region extending above thebottom of the insole 23 and can come into direct adhesive contact withthe lasting adhesive 25 because of this.

[0075] A production phase is shown in FIG. 3 in which the last region 35of the upper 15 is lasted around the last 13 and the insole 11. In thelasting step conducted in this manner the bead-like lasting adhesive 25was formed to a flat lasting layer 37. The bead of lasting adhesive 25applied in the production phase according to FIG. 1 was dimensioned sothat the lasting adhesive layer 37 extends beyond the center of theinsole above the inner last insert edge 39. As is readily apparent inFIG. 3, the cutting edge 36 facing the center of the insole and itspared end region 41 facing the bottom of the insole 23 are enclosed bythe adhesive lasting material. The shoe structure depicted in FIG. 3lacks only an outsole for completion.

[0076] By using a lasting adhesive that is waterproof, water thatpenetrates along the outer material of the upper to the end of thelasted region 35 on the outsole side, cannot reach the inside of theregion of the upper functional layer 21 folded under the insole 11 andtherefore cannot reach the shoe interior.

[0077] A modification of the first variant of the invention is nowexplained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, whose production begins withthe production steps according to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0078] In conjunction with the production steps according to FIGS. 1 to3 reactive hot melt adhesive serving as outsole adhesive 45 is appliedto the bottom of the lasted portion 43. This application can occureither by coating not only the bottom of the lasted portion 43 but alsothe region of the bottom of the insole 23 left free of lasting adhesivewith outsole adhesive 45, as shown in FIG. 5 or by leaving a centerregion of the bottom of insole 23 free of outsole adhesive, as shown inFIG. 4. The variant depicted in FIG. 5 is recommended when an outsolethat is not waterproof itself is adhered on. The variant according toFIG. 4 can be chosen if a waterproof outsole that is waterproof itselfis adhered on. Because of the waterproof sealing enclosure 47, on theone hand, and the waterproof gluing of the outsole to enclosure 47, onthe other, water cannot penetrate to the center region of the bottom ofthe insole 23. This production stage is shown in FIG. 4. This figurealso clearly shows that the reactive hot melt adhesive forming thelasting adhesive layer 37 and the reactive hot melt adhesive forming theoutsole adhesive 45 forms enclosure 47 for the lasted portion 43, whichacts as a waterproof enclosure for portion 43.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 5, the cavity left free of adhesive is filledwith a filler 49 in order to form an essentially flat bottom for gluingon of outsole 51 for the shoe structure so produced. Nonwovens, like PESnonwovens, knitted or sole material can be used as filler. In thevariant shown in FIG. 5 of a shoe according to the invention, outsole 51consists of rubber or plastic and is provided with air chambers 53 inthe region facing filler 49. These lead to a saving of outsole material,make the outsole and thus the entire shoe lighter and can also lead tosofter treading of the shoe on the floor.

[0080] The sealing effect of the sealing enclosure 47 is explainedschematically with reference to FIG. 6. Water particles are indicated bysmall circles and arrows which show the direction of penetration anddirection of creep of water within the water-permeable outer material 17that permits water creep. Water penetrating from the exterior into theouter material can reach upper 15 in the longitudinal direction of outermaterial 17 and penetrate to the edge of the lasted portion 39 along thelasted end of the upper. Such water is prevented by the waterprooflasting adhesive from migrating into the shoe interior via textilematerial on the inside of the upper functional layer 21.

[0081] For the case in which the shoe has a water-permeable insoleand/or an outsole provided with air chambers 53 open toward the insole,a sealing enclosure 47 is created. Without such an enclosure, waterpenetrating via the outer material 17 could penetrate up to the airchambers 53, which would not be hampered by the filler 49, since thisnormally consists of a water-permeable and water-conducting material.Water that penetrated into air chambers 53 would collect there and leadto sloshing noises, an increase in shoe weight and cooling of the insoleand consequently to an unpleasant wearing sensation of the shoe.

[0082] As a result of sealing enclosure 47, however, the water can onlypenetrate to the lasted portion edge, but cannot go further into theshoe interior and/or the air chambers 53.

[0083] Another variant of a shoe according to the invention depicted inFIG. 7 has a structure that is largely identical to the shoe structuredepicted in FIG. 5. To this extent the shoe structure depicted in FIG. 7is not explained again. The shoe structure depicted in FIG. 7 hasdifferences relative to the shoe structure depicted in FIG. 5 to theextent that it has a water- and water vapor-permeable insole 57, forexample, for a nonwoven textile material, for example, a web, and isprovided with a waterproof, water vapor-permeable outsole 59. Because ofthis sole structure the shoe depicted in FIG. 7 is also waterproof andbreathable in the sole region. This leads to a shoe with particularlygood wearing comfort.

[0084] In the variant depicted in FIG. 7 the outsole 59 has an outsoleedge region 61 made of rubber or plastic, whose center region is filledwith an outsole insert 63 made of a water- and water vapor-permeablematerial, for example, leather. A waterproof, water vapor-permeable solefunctional layer 65, preferably also made of ePTFE, is situated on theoutsole insert 63 on the side facing insole 57. As schematically shownin FIG. 7, the sole functional layer 65 extends on its outer edge in thedirection of the outsole periphery so that it comes to overlap betweenthe sealing enclosure 47 and the sole functional layer 65. For thisreason, water cannot penetrate to the filler and thus insole 57 eithervia the last region 35 or via the outsole insert 63. The shoe interioris fully protected from penetration of water with maintenance ofbreathing activity in the entire shoe region.

[0085] During use of an outsole that consists entirely ofwater-permeable material the sole functional layer 65 can extend to theperipheral edge of the outsole.

[0086] The sole functional layer 65 can be constructed with the samematerials as the upper functional layer, i.e., with ePTFE, PU,polypropylene or polyester.

[0087] Still another variant of a shoe according to the invention isdepicted in FIGS. 8 to 11 in different production phases. In thisvariant, an outer material laminate 67 is used, which contains both anouter material, for example, made of leather or textile, and an upperfunctional layer. The inside of the outer material laminate 67 is linedwith a liner 69, which possesses no functional layer. Since the liner 69need not be sealed, it is cut back in the depiction in FIG. 8essentially to the bottom of the insole 23 so that the bead-like lastingadhesive 25 comes to lie in the angle between the bottom of the insole23 and the inside of the outer material laminate 67.

[0088] Otherwise the shoe structure depicted in FIG. 8 coincides withthe shoe structure depicted in FIG. 1 and is not further explained here.

[0089] According to the production phase depicted in FIG. 3, FIG. 9shows the shoe structure of FIG. 8 after the process step of lasting.According to FIG. 10 reactive hot melt adhesive is applied as outsoleadhesive 25 on the bottom of the lasting region 43 and the bottom of theinsole 23, preferably by spraying. The reactive hot melt adhesiveapplied as lasting adhesive 25 and the reactive hot melt adhesiveapplied as outsole adhesive 45 are again joined to a waterproof sealingenclosure 47 that seals the last area 35. According to FIG. 11, a filler49 is introduced into the cavity remaining within the edge of last area39 and an outsole 51 made of rubber or some other type of plastic isadhered onto the bottom of the last margin area 43 and the bottom offiller 49. The filler 49 can also be formed by outsole material.

[0090] In the shoe structure depicted in FIG. 11 the insole 11 againconsists of waterproof material. As in the second variant depicted inFIG. 7, however, in this third variant a water-permeable insole canagain be combined with a waterproof, breathable outsole.

[0091]FIG. 12 shows a section of a sole structure in a schematized,enlarged two-dimensional depiction with lasting adhesive 37 in the formof reactive hot melt adhesive reacted by three-dimensional crosslinkingof molecular chains. The three-dimensionality of crosslinking arisesowing to the fact that the molecular chains of the reactive hot meltadhesive crosslink also in the third dimension not visible in FIG. 12(perpendicular to the surface of the drawing) in the manner depicted fortwo dimensions. This leads to a particularly strong protection againstpenetration of water into the adhesive.

1. Footwear comprising: a) an insole with an insole bottom; b) an upperwhich is constructed with an outer material; c) a waterproof upperfunctional layer, which forms a part of the upper and at least partiallylines the outer material of the upper on its inside, particularly in theend region of the upper; d) in which the upper has an end region in thelasting margin area which is adhered to the insole bottom; e) and anoutsole which is adhered to the bottom of the lasted margin area; f)wherein the lasting adhesive is a reactive hot melt adhesive which iswaterproof in the reacted state.
 2. Footwear according to claim 1, inwhich the outsole is adhered by a waterproof reactive hot melt adhesive.3. Footwear according to claim 2, wherein the reactive hot meltadhesives form an enclosure that encloses the end region on the soleside of both the outer material and the upper functional layer. 4.Footwear according to claim 2, in which the lasting adhesive and theoutsole adhesive consist of the same reactive hot melt adhesive. 5.Footwear according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the reactive hot meltadhesive has been moisture cured.
 6. Footwear according to claim 1 or 2wherein the reactive hot melt adhesive is selected from the adhesivegroups consisting of polyurethane hot melt adhesives and condensationresins.
 7. Footwear according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the reactive hotmelt adhesive is a PU reactive hot melt adhesive that is constructedwith blocked isocyanate.
 8. Footwear according to claim 1 or 2 in whichthe reactive hot melt adhesive contains a thermoplastic.
 9. Footwearaccording to claim 1 or 2, in which the upper functional layer is watervapor-permeable.
 10. Footwear according to claim 1 or 2 in which thefunctional layer is porous polytetrafluoroethylene.
 11. Method forproduction of footwear, that has: a) an insole with an insole bottom: b)an upper which is constructed with an outer material and has an endregion on the sole; c) a waterproof shaft functional layer, which atleast partially lines the outer material of the upper on its inside andhas an end region on the sole side; d) in which the upper has a lastingregion at its end; and e) an outsole; wherein the process comprises: f)adhering the upper end region to the insole bottom by means of lastingadhesive in which a reactive hot melt adhesive is used as lastingadhesive; g) adhering an outsole to the bottom.